Serum and cerebrospinal fluid soluble Fas levels in clinical subgroups of multiple sclerosis

Elevated sFas levels have been described in Multiple sclerosis (MS) patient s with active disease. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic p otential of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sFas measurements in differ entiating clinically defined MS patient subgroups. Levels of sFas and sFas indices were determined in patients with stable relapsing-remitting MS (RRM S), active RRMS, primary progressive MS (PPMS), secondary progressive MS (S PMS) and patients with inflammatory (IND) and noninflammatory neurological diseases (NIND). Serum sFas modulation over 32 weeks IFN-beta la therapy wa s also investigated. Serum and CSF sFas levels and sFas indices were elevat ed in MS compared to NIND and IND patients. Within the MS group, serum and CSF sFas levels were highest in PPMS, with active RRMS patients demonstrati ng the highest sFas indices. This may reflect an ongoing disease process wh ich is occurring acutely (active disease) or incessantly (progressive disea se). IFN-beta la induced a transient increase in circulating sFas following initiation of therapy. Whilst evidence was provided for variable sFas expr ession in clinical subgroups of MS, there was insufficient definition betwe en the respective groups to advocate sFas measurements as a diagnostic mark er of clinical subgroups of MS. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.